noun
nonna
NO-nuh
Nonna (noun) means a grandmother, especially one of Italian heritage. Example: “Every Sunday we went to Nonna's house for a huge pasta dinner.”
noun
1
A grandmother, especially one of Italian heritage.
"An article last month in The Daily News talked about Enoteca Maria, a restaurant in Staten Island that has no professional chef, just a rotating roster of eight nonnas, or grandmothers, from different regions of Italy."
— Alex Witchel, Borscht: What Would Nana Say? (2009)
"Every Sunday we went to Nonna's house for a huge pasta dinner."
How to use nonna
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn affectionate Italian word for grandma, often used even in English-speaking families with Italian roots.
When to use it
Informal, warm term used within families rather than formal writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- nonnas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Every Sunday we went to _____'s house for a huge pasta dinner.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Italian nonna, "grandmother."
Rhymes for nonna
See all rhymes for nonna →Frequently asked questions
What does “nonna” mean?
The word “nonna” means a grandmother, especially one of Italian heritage. In plain terms, an affectionate Italian word for grandma, often used even in English-speaking families with Italian roots.
How do you pronounce “nonna”?
“Nonna” is pronounced NO-nuh (/ˈnɒnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “nonna” in a sentence?
Here is “nonna” used in a sentence: “Every Sunday we went to Nonna's house for a huge pasta dinner.”
What part of speech is “nonna”?
“Nonna” is a noun.
Where does the word “nonna” come from?
The word “nonna” comes from Italian. Borrowed directly from Italian nonna, "grandmother.".
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